USA > Indiana > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Indiana : With historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Volume II > Part 4
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was secured in Frankfort and other points of the county gave the Times a very fair footing on the date of the first issue.
Finley Fowler died in 1889 and subsequent to that sad event Mr. Fowler bought the interest of Mr. Hamliton, and with the exception of about two years, during which time J. J. AAnghe was part owner of the paper, has pub- lished The Times under his sole ownership and management. Originally the Weekly Times was an eight page, six column paper, half of it being what is known as "ready print." The proprietors were without a newspaper press and during the first few years of its existence the paper was printed on the Crescent press. The Times, however, gained immediate popularity with the public and the demand upon us columns made by advertisers necessitated the addition of extra columns, so that inside of two years the paper was enlarged to a seven column quarto. At the same time the publishers purchased a press upon which to print their paper, and to stay within their means selected a Prouty, the cheapest newspaper press built at that time. It served the pur- pose, however, for two years, when it became necessary to have a larger and faster press to keep up with the rapidly growing circulation of The Times. This time a Potter drum cylinder press was installed, at that time one of the most popular models of flat bed presses. By that time The Times had out- grown its original quarters and the office was moved to the second story of the Cohee building at the southwest corner of the square. Subsequently, an- other move was made to the Kelly building on West Clinton street to up- stairs rooms, and later the office was installed in the down-stairs room in the same building. It took a few years for The Times to get in on the "ground floor," but having once attained that desired location it has ever since re- mained there. The room in the Kelly block was the home of The Times until nine years ago, since which time it has occupied a building especially built for the purpose and known as the Times building, located on east Clin- ton street. The building is thirty-three by one hundred and thirty-two feet. two stories and basement, and was constructed to meet all the needs for the publication of a modern newspaper.
In 1894, believing that the people of Frankfort and Clinton county would appreciate the advantages of a daily morning newspaper, Mr. Fowler launched The Morning Times, and has never regretted it, although the at- tempt to establish a morning daily at that time was rather hazardous and in- volved possibile failure and financial loss. He was advised by friends not to attempt so radical an undertaking in local journalism, but acting upon the Arm belief that the field was amply large for a morning paper, he brought out his
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first issue, and success has attended his venture from that day to this. The growth of The Morning Times has been little short of marvelous. Its popu- covers the county, and has, since the establishment of free rural mail delivery, that its value as an advertising medium has made ever increasing demand for space, necessitating frequent enlargements. The growth in circulation and business has also made repeated demands for new and better equipment and these demands have been promptly met by the progressive publishers. When the linotype began displacing hand compositors, Mr. Fowler was among the very first of the provincial daily newspapers to install a machine and this gave his readers a quadruple allowance of reading matter. As The Morning Times grew the old Potter press became inadequate to the demand for speed and so Mr. Fowler, in 1900, installed a Michle press, the fastest flat-bed press then on the market. This served its purpose fairly well for a few years or until the circulation of the paper grew to such size that something faster upon which to print the paper was an imperative demand. So in 1912 Mr. Fowler installed a Webb perfecting press that cost a small fortune, but which will fulfill all the requirements for many years to come. The press prints from a continuous roll of paper and is capable of turning out one hundred completed and folded papers per minute. Four, eight or ten papers can be printed as desired. Mr. Fowler's policy of being a little in advance of the times ex- tends to his general equipment, and from a small beginning-two wagon loads of material-the plant has grown to its present large proportions.
For several years past Mr. Fowler has been assisted by his sons, Max- well and Walter, who are now assuming a share of the burden which for so many years were visited upon one pair of shoulders, and the probability is that The Morning Times will be published by several generations of Fowlers. descendants of the man who was responsible for its start.
On October 11, 1882, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with Christina Kramer, daughter of Edward and Mary Kramer, who were among the carly settlers in Frankfort. Three sons, Raymond, George Maxwell, and Walter Scott, have been born to them. While the publication of his paper and the conduct of his business has made steady and ever increasing demands upon Mr. Fowler's time he has nevertheless found time to fraternize with his fellow newspaper men, being one of the oldest members of the Northern Indiana Editorial Association, and, until very recently, a regular attendant at its meetings. Neither has he neglected the social side of life, being a mem- ber of three of Frankfort's leading fraternal orders-Knights of Pythias, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Improved Order of Red Men.
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. He is a member of the official board and also the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church and was church treasurer for a long term of years, during the pastorates of Doctors Hollingsworth, Ogden and Halstead.
CAPTAIN GEORGE W. BROWN, M. D.
As the aristocratic Southland today loves the memory of Jeb Stuart's rollicking, courageons and daring cavalry troop, so does the more astute North glory in the ecollectier . Wilder's Lightning Brigade, that hardy. manly and intrepid company of men who played so conspicuous a part in the campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland. On the bloody fields of Chickamauga and around Chattanooga these men from Indiana and Illinois fought, and they came to bear the reputation of being able to "lick anything that stood before them." Since those days of strife the men who composed the rank and file have scattered over the whole country. Some in the years since have filled the highest offices in the country, others have entered the different professions, some in the law courts have made their names famous and othres as financiers, have made distinct successes. The immediate sub- ject of this sketch was a member of the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which, along with the Seventy-fifty Indiana and the Ninety-eighth Illinois, made up Wilder's Brigade when it was organized at Louisville, Ken- tucky, in September, 1862. His part in the activities of that famous brigade was a notable one and his conduct was ever that becoming a gentleman and an officer.
Captain George W. Brown was born on a farm in Warren county, O., August 3, 1843. and was the son of Jeffrey and Mary ( Irwin) Brown. In the spring of 1851 our subject's father moved to Clinton county, and settled on a farm. Captain Brown's early education was obtained in the common schools of Rossville, which town was near to his home farm. At the age of sixteen years he began the study of medicine, and, not being willing to depend solely upon his father for support while attending medical school, he taught school during the winter of '61-'62.
The call of the North for volunteers interrupted his plans, however, and his patriotism won. On July 23, 1862 he enlisted as a private in Com- pany K, Seventy-second Indiana Regiment. He served until November, 1863, when he was detailed to return home and recruit, and he secured forty- six men, thus filling his company to the maximum. While he was fulfilling
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this order, on January 23, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of first lieu- tenant and on April 19, 1864, he rejoined the regiment at Columbus, Tem., just before the beginning of the Atlanta campaign, and assumed command of his company, the captain being absent on account of wounds. On July 1, 1864 our subject was advanced to the position of captain, and remained in command until the day they were all mustered out of the service. A booklet published on the occasion of the dedication of the Wildler Brigade monument on the battlefield of Chickamauga, the following appears descriptive of Captain Brown:
"Though not past his majority when he became commanding officer of Company K, Captain Brown was a prudent, careful officer, always ready for duty and prompt to perform it. His medical skill proved very valuable to his men and many a boy of Company K escaped a spell of sickness through the careful oversight and wise forethought of his company commander. He was popular with his men, as is evidenced by the fact that when the regiment arrived at Edgefield, Tenn., on the way home at the close of the war, Com- pany K had one hundred and one men on its roll and found twelve recruits in camp waiting to join it.
"Captain Brown is a genial, kind-hearted gentleman, an estimable citizen, highly respected by all who know him. He is generous to a fault, and in the practice of his profession has been to hundreds of sufferers the kind and considerate friend and counselor as well as the patient, skillful, medical at- tendant. For his old comrades he always has an open heart and cordial greeting, and they all delight to take him by the hand and look into his always pleasant countenance."
In October, 1865, Captain Brown entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and was graduated with high honors from that institution on Janu- ary 24, 1866. On February 12, 1866 he put out his sign in Frankfort, and he has since continued his practice in this city. In June, 1889, he was ap- pointed on the Pension Examining Board of Clinton county, and was chosen its secretary, and served until September, 1893. In June, 1897, he was again appointed, and is still performing his duties on the board.
On September 20, 1865 Captain Brown was united in marriage with Laura Gentry, of Frankfort. Two children have been born to this union : Ada G., who died July 18, 1898, and Walter E.
Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Masonic Order, being a Royal Arch Mason. He also is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian, and politically, a Republican.
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DAVID S. BRANT.
As long as history is studied will the American people revere the heroes, who, between the years of 1861 and 1865, fought to keep as one a country that threatened to divide for all time. Monuments and fitting ceremonies may celebrate the lives given so freely in those days in the cause of the land, but the true appreciation, the lasting one, will be in the thoughts of the people, that will be handed down from generation to generation until pos- sibly some day they will become a tradition, the recital of which will serve as a slogan for our childrens' deeds on the field of honor. The veterans are leaving us fast, leaving their records for us to reflect upon, but yet there are many left, an army of them. In the front ranks will be found one of the most honored and respected citizens of Frankfort. He is David S. Brant.
Mr. Brant was born in Michigan township, Clinton county, January 31, 1840, the son of Abram L. and Catherine (Wilson) Brant. The father was a native of New Jersey, and the mother was born in the state of Ohio. Abram Brant came to Clinton county in the early days of 1838, traveling overland in covered wagons, and settled in Michigan township where he fol- lowed his life-long trade, that of shoemaking. He raised a large family of eight children, and four of them still survive.
In his early life, David Brant was educated in the common schools of Clinton county, and after leaving his desk in the school room he took up farming in the same county.
In 1861, when President Lincoln called for volunteers to fight for the preservation of the union, David Brant was one of the most eager to re- spond. On August 3, 1861, he handed his name to the recruiting officer as a member of Company C. Tenth Indiana Infantry. Colonel Manson, now fa- mous in the annals of Indiana's participation in the struggle, was the com- manding officer. The Tenth Regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and with them went David Brant, participating in the brilliant and successful campaign of that division under the command of General Thomas. On September 19, 1864. Mr. Brant was mustered out in Indianapo- lis. He returned to his farm in Clinton county, and remained there until he decided to retire, whereupon, in 1890, he moved to Frankfort and resides there now in confort and peace.
The lean and grizzled veteran that trudged back to Indiana from the dust and heat of the army campaign was not to go without reward. A sweet-faced Michigan township girl waited patiently, Julia A. Fudge was her name, and on November 8, 1865, a year and two months after he was
DAVID S. BRANT AND FAMILY
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mustered out of the army, Mr. Brant married her. She was the daughter of Moses and Mary ( Harshbarger) Fudge. Moses Fudge came to Indiana from Rockingham county, Virginia, and the wife came from Ohio in 1833. They settled in Michigan township, five miles cast of Frankfort.
To David Brant and wife there have been born three children: Edward Bruce, Warren A., and Mary Katherine, who is now teaching in Chicago.
Mr. Brant has over taken an active interest in the affairs of his com- munity, never hesitating to take up any task demanded of him by his fellow townsmen and always in a cheerful and willing mood. For three years he was drainage commissioner of Frankfort, and performed the duties of his office in very creditable manner. Mr. Brant is one of the bulwarks of the Grand Army of the Republic, lending hi, picturesque and interesting char- acter to the aid of his former comrades. The Progressive party found a strong supporter in Mr. Brant, and he bids fair to remain loyal.
ISAAC IRWIN.
To have fought in the days of '61, and to have made a record for bravery and devotion to duty, is, in itself, adequate recommendation for a place in a volume such as the one in hand. Isaac Irwin's name is on the roster of those brave fellows who sacrificed their dearest possessions in order that the Union might not be disrupted. However, Mr. Irwin's success in life after the close of the war would be of sufficient weight to insure permanent record. Mr. Irwin has been a hard and unflinching worker and therein lies the secret of his pro. perity ; he has made his own path of roses and has never won any reward without an equal expenditure of energy and labor. In Clinton county, Mr. Irwin is numbered among the best citizens and his scores of friends will testify to his integrity and high ideals.
Isaac N. Irwin was born in Center township, Clinton county, August 29, 1845, and was the son of Robert S. and Rebecca (Gray) Irwin. Robert S. Irwin was born in Ross county, O., January 14, 1818, a son of Samuel and Esther (Dean) Irwin. Samuel Irwin was born in Maryland, January 1, 1782, and was but two years of age when taken to Kentucky, and but a few years later to Ohio. He there grew to maturity and was married in Ross county to Esther Dean, who bore fourteen children : Catherine, Abigail, Jessup, Mesner, Gustin, Jared William, Samuel K., John. Robert S., Price,
(26)
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Asa, Nancy J., and James L., all of whom were born in Ross county, O. In 1829, the parents of Robert S. Irwin came to Indiana and settled in Mont- gomery county, where the father died on August 18. 1834, in the Presbyterian faith, the mother surviving until January 27, 1865.
Robert S. Irwin was reared to manhood in Montgomery county, Ind., and there made his home until he reached his majority. Ile then attended school in Jefferson county, and taught for three years in Tippecanoe and Clinton counties and elsewhere ; then in 1843 he rented a farm in Clinton county, on which he resided as a tenant for six years. In 1850, he bought a farm of eighty acres of excellent land, in Twelve Mile Prairie, on which he lived until 1892, when he came to the city to live. on account of the great convenience of natural gas, although he was yet the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land. On September 24, 1840, Robert Irwin was married to Rebecca Gray, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Sarah (Douglas) Gray. The umion of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin was blessed with the following children: Sarah M. Boyd, John S. (deceased), Isaac, Samuel, Rebecca (deceased), Jane Ball and Robert W. The mother of these children died December 5. 1855. In 1856 Mr. Irwin was remarried, his second wife being Elizabeth M. Smiley, who was the mother of the follow- ing children: Mary Waite, Elizabeth, (deceased), Rosa Gentry, William (deceased) and Clara Ward. Mrs. Irwin died April 13. 1878. Robert S. Irwin was a Republican in politics and served two terms as township trustee and as justice of the peace four years. By occupation he was a farmer and his career was marked by a succession of useful acts to his fellow citizens and home community. Ile died on the sixteenth of February, 1895.
On Washington's birthday in the year 1864 Mr. Irwin enlisted in Com- pany G, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until August 9, 1865. He was in the Federal army under command of the famous Gen. Phil Sheridan, and went through the Shenandoah Valley, participating in the battle of Newmarket. Virginia, on May 15. 1864, when the Federals under General Sigel were defeated: Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864, when Schofield's soldiers downed the rebels; Dinwiddie's courthouse, March 31, 1865, federal victory ; and Cedar Creek, Virginia, in October, 1864. Mr. Irwin was with Sheridan at the time that courageous general made his famous ride to rally his routed troops. Although Mr. Irwin's term of service was short, enough action and excitement was crowded into the time to make up for the years he missed.
After the war Mr. Irwin came back to Clinton county and farmed until
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1870, then entered the profession of school teaching. He continued suc- cessfully in this vocation until thirty-three years had passed, running the farm of one hundred and sixty acres at the same time. He won a reputation for thriftiness and industry during these years, and made a good start toward the independence that is now his. In 1904 he moved to the city of Frank- fort and entered the real estate, rental, loan and insurance business, pursued that successfully for several years and is now listed as an exclusive pension attorney. In this latter capacity, Mr. Irwin has prosecuted over two hin- dred and fifty cases and has been successful in most of them, as is proved by his constantly increasing business. Mr. Irwin, of course, belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is one of the most able supporters of the encampment of his membership. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and religiously, is a Presbyterian. 1490204
In August, 1866, Mr. Irwin was married to Rebecca J. Ball, a native of this county. Their married life extended over a period of twenty years and then, in July, 1886, Mrs. Irwin was called to her death. Six children were born of this union: Everett F., a Hendricks county school teacher ; Robert M., a stenographer at Indianapolis; Charles L., a stenographer at Columbus, Ind. ; Elizabeth, the wife of C. H. Hillis; and two others who are deceased. On August 15, 1888, Mr. Irwin was married the second time, to Eliza M. Brookie, also a native of Clinton county. One child has been born of this union, Flossie L., a graduate of DePauw University and a teacher of Latin and English in the Scircleville high school. She is now living at home.
OWEN E. BRUMBAUGH.
It is not an easy task to give adequate description of the character of a man who has led an eminently active and busy life in connection with the great legal profession and who has stamped his individuality on the plane of definite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor. However, there is great satisfaction and much pride in adverting even in this cursory manner to the career of Owen E. Brumbaugh, one of the most able, conscientions and honored workers in the legal profession of Clinton county, and one of the most conspicuous men of Frankfort. In civic life he has been prominent, and he has held the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens since his entrance into the business life of the city. The fact that Mr. Brumbaugh has been honored with the highest public office in
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the power of the city is sufficient proof of his able services and reputation of merit.
Owen E. Brumbaugh was born on his father's farm near the town of Rossville, Clinton county, Indiana, and is the eldest child of John W. and Martha ( Kanable) Brumbaugh.
John W. Brumbaugh, the father of our subject, was born near the village of Union, Montgomery county, Ohio, and his mother, Martha Kana- ble, was a native of the state of Pennsylvania. She died, however, when our subject was less than four years of age, leaving him, his father, and his sister, Amanda, who is now the wife of John W. Myler, of Lebanon South Dakota. John W. Brumbaugh followed the trade of a carpenter, and many residences and other structures still stand in Clinton county that were con- structed by him. He was a self-made man and had considerable influence in his community. He was married the second time to Amanda D. Ncher, and of this union the following children were born: Eliza A., Susan C., Dennis M .. Jacob A., and Martha: In the year 1872 the father, with all of his chil- dren, moved to Illinois, settling near the town of Cerro Gordo, and there died in 1874. John W. Brumbaugh led and believed in an honorable and in- dustrious life, and his years were replete with beneficence properly bestowed.
Owen Brumbaugh grew to manhood on his father's farm, working there and attending the common schools. At the age of seventeen he began teaching and continued in the smaller schools until the year 1875, when he accepted better employment in the intermediate and high school depart- ments of the Frankfort city schools. His own education was obtai .ed in the country schools, as mentioned before; in the Frankfort normal schools, under the instruction of Prof. E. H. Staley; at the academy in Ladoga, Indiana, under Prof. M. B. Hopkins; at Salem College, Bourbon, Indiana, and at the Bryant and Stratton Business College of Indianapolis.
Although he had made a success of his pedagogic efforts, Mr. Brum- baugh treasured the ambition to enter the legal profession, and utilized every opportunity to study the fundamental principles of the law. It was while engaged in teaching in the Frankfort schools that he entered the law office of Doyal & Gard, where he rapidly gained the prestige and experience that led to his being admitted to the Clinton County Bay in 1877, of which he has been a member ever since.
His own practice commenced in 1878, when he was elected city attor- ney of Frankfort. His work has been decidedly active since that time, hav- ing practiced in the circuit, appellate, supreme and federal courts of In-
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diana, and also in the courts of adjoining states. His practice has been a general one, including civil, probate and criminal cases, and, to his credit, it must be said that he has won the great majority of cases which he has en- tered. Consequently, his clients have the greatest confidence in his ability and do not hesitate to repose their full trust in his legal skill.
Mr. Brumbaugh, during the last twelve years, has been honored more than once with public office. As city attorney, president of the school board and as mayor of the city, he has given his constituents and patrons the bene- fit of his hardest efforts. He has also devoted much of his time to municipal law and municipal affairs and has successfully waged and won many legal controversies for the end of Frankfurt. In 1896 Mr. Brumbaugh was nom- inated for judge of the Clinton circuit court by the Republican party, with which he always affiliated, but together with his colleagues on the ticket, was defeated by force of the demand of the voters of that time for the free coinage of silver at tl ratio of sixteen to one, as proposed by the platform of the Democratic party.
Mr. Brumbaugh was married March 22, 1877, to Mary E. Magee, daughter of William and Jane Magee. Four children were born to them, namely : Ethel M., married to Charles E. Cooper, now farming in Texas; Jessie Jean, married to William K. Sproule, Jr., cashier of National City Bank of Indianapolis; Olive H., at home, librarian at Frankfort, and John N., who died at the age of five years. Mr. Brumbaugh is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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